Our newest book, What Is PTSD? 3 Steps to Healing Trauma is the perfect companion for your recovery, introducing you to techniques and strategies that have helped thousands of our clientsembark on their own healing journey.

We invite you to discover:

• Three essential steps to healing trauma• How your mind and body work in determining your unique response to trauma• How to stay present in healing trauma• Healing with new energy, no matter how long ago your traumatic experience• Highly effective coping techniques to help you cope with even your most distressing symptoms• Recovery stories of trauma survivors providing you with inspiration and hope• Significant ways to reconnect with others while moving forward in four key areas for healing

You are not alone; it is our honor to be your companions on this gentle journey to a new place inyour life.

“The director of one of the world’s premier training institutes for treating and understanding traumatic stress has co-authored a vital and timely message to survivors of trauma with the writing of What is PTSD: 3 Steps to Healing Trauma. This practical and eminently readable book provides the reader with a simple understanding of PTSD that is underpinned by the best and most current science without even a trace of a musty, professorial tone anywhere. The outlining of clear, concise, and specific tasks—most of which are derived from evidence-based clinical practices—empowers survivors to begin and accelerate their healing of their traumatic stress.

Maybe the best part of What is PTSD is the immediate and friendly tone of the writing. The reader cannot help but notice that these writers care about them and are extending the activities in this book as an expression of their commitment to service and they manage to complete this formidable task without naiveté, infantilism or evangelism. Steady, clear, authoritative direction for trauma survivors (and those that treat them!) to help them successfully navigate the haunted-house maze of posttraumatic stress. This book is heartily recommended to anyone who has or has ever had PTSD, their family members and their therapists.”

“Baranowsky (a psychologist) and Lauer (a psychotherapist) wrote this remarkable book for those who’ve experienced trauma. In clear and uncluttered language they explore 3 steps to healing trauma: finding comfort and ensuring safety; remembering the trauma and integrating it into one’s life story; and moving forward with life. In each of the three steps, the authors include a number of exercises for identifying triggers, enhancing self-soothing, coping with symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal, and the tentative, worrisome steps associated with beginning to trust your own “wise counsel” again.

The book’s richness is enhanced by “recovery stories” of real life people with whom the authors have worked, links to a website containing additional forms/exercises and audiovisual resources, and discussion of the “traumagram exercise” (which provides a visual representation of intergenerational traumas that may be adversely affecting one’s life and impeding treatment). Leaving no stone unturned, Baranowsky and Lauer also explore the impact of unbidden, frightening trauma symptoms on family members (e.g., spouses/partners and children), friends, employers, and teachers.

The authors thoughtful, engaging writing style leaves one with the impression of personally interacting with a skilled experienced clinician. As such, “What is PTSD? 3 Steps to Healing Trauma” is an indispensible guide for those who’ve been traumatized, their family and friends. Psychotherapists will also find this book to be a useful resource in treating those who’ve suffered trauma.”

“What Is PTSD: 3 Steps to Healing Trauma is a reassuring reminder for individuals, their spouses and family members that they needn’t suffer in silence. Teresa and Anna are compassionate healers who truly understand what trauma survivors are going through and offer effective steps to help them reclaim their lives and begin living again!

“I learned about family trauma and that I am a produce of the traumas suffered by generations of my family. Once I understood this, it was as if the fog had lifted and I was able to begin the work I knew I had to do in order not to pass it along to my children … and theirs.”

~ Diana, Trauma Survivor (Domestic Violence)

“The greatest strength of this workbook is that it gives power back to victims. The book is the bridge that I have been looking for, an incredibly powerful tool that allows those impacted by trauma to gain understanding and mastery over the pervasive and intrusive symptoms that are the signature of PTSD.

Through reading and completing the exercises in this educational, factual and easy to understand workbook, individuals suffering the impact of PTSD will begin to feel an integrated sense of control. This book is designed to validate and support a healing journey on the path to self –regulation. As owner of Counsellor Exchange I highly recommend this book and will be encouraging our member therapists working with trauma victims to use it. It will be part of my toolkit for sure! Thank you Anna and Teresa.”

This book is sorely needed and I know will benefit many. I will heartedly recommend it especially to my professional friends who can benefit and who can recommend it to clients.

~ Cathy Kraus, Compassion Fatigue Specialist

“What Is PTSD: 3 Steps to Healing Trauma speaks to the “gentle healing” that can benefit all survivors; the exercises were especially helpful for me to begin accepting my trauma and moving forward.”

~ Dan, Trauma Survivor (Auto Accident)

About the Authors:

Dr. Anna B. Baranowsky is the director of the Traumatology Institute providing training, consultation and service. She is dedicated to the care of trauma survivors in her practice and focuses on empowering individuals, groups and communities to build skills for self-care and resiliency. In her role with the Institute, she provides comprehensive trauma care training and compassion fatigue resiliency programs to professional care providers.

Teresa Lauer, LMHC is a licensed psychotherapist in Washington state providing therapy, consultation and training within the clinical framework of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy. Trained in Marriage and Family Systems Theory, Teresa has advanced expertise in how trauma affects the family, including the individual, couple, children, seniors, and those with special needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs), etc.

Teresa’s areas of expertise in the field of trauma therapy and training include Sexual Assault, Military Sexual Trauma, Combat Veterans, Domestic Violence, Somatic Therapies, and Integration of Touch. Read more at teresalauer.com